[metapost] Asymptote, version 0.53 released

[John Bowman]

Dear Colleagues,

Asymptote, a modern replacement for MetaPost, has recently been released:

http://asymptote.sourceforge.net/

Contributions and feedback (to help make this the best possible technical
graphics program) are encouraged.

-- John Bowman

Professor
Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6G 2G1

Asymptote is powerful script-based vector graphics language that provides a
natural coordinate-based framework for technical drawing. Labels and
equations are typeset with LaTeX, for high-quality postscript output.

A major advantage of Asymptote over other graphics packages is that it is a
programming language, as opposed to just a graphics program: it can
therefore exploit the best features of script (command-driven) and
graphical user interface (GUI) methods. 

Features of Asymptote:

* inspired by MetaPost, with much cleaner, powerful C++-like programming
  syntax and numerics;

* mathematically oriented (e.g. rotation of vectors by complex multiplication);

* LaTeX typesetting of labels (important for document consistency);

* compiles figures into pseudo-machine code for speed without sacrificing
  portability;

* uses simplex method and deferred drawing to solve overall size constraint
  issues between fixed-sized objects (labels and arrowheads) and objects
  that should scale with figure size;

* high-level graphics commands are implemented in the Asymptote language
  itself, allowing them to be easily tailored to specific applications;

* designed to become the de-facto standard for typesetting mathematical
  figures, just as TeX/LaTeX has become the standard for typesetting equations.